Cosmetic applicator and remover

ABSTRACT

THE APPLICATION DISCLOSES A PAD OF MATERIAL FOR APPLYING COSMETIC SUBSTANCES TO THE FACIAL AREA, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE EYES AND FOR REMOVING THE COSMETICS. THE PAD IS CAPABLE OF BEING DIVIDED INTO TWO PORTIONS SO THAT EYELASHES CAN BE GRIPPED BETWEEN THE PORTIONS FOR THE EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF EYELASH COSMETICS.

March 23, 1971 J. w. SLEMMONS ,5

COSMETIC APPLICATOR AND REMOVER Original Filed Oct. 17, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTCDR.

JOHN W SLEMMONS ATTORNEY March 23, 1 971 COSMETIC Original Filed Oct. 17, 1966 l4 2 8 pa! 2 a FIG. 6

35 FIG. I6

w. SLEMMONS 3,572,349

APPLICATOR AND REMOVER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN W. SLEMMONS ATTORNEY United States Patent "ice 3,572,349 COSMETIC APPLICATOR AND REMOVER John Whittier Slemmons, 19142 Glen Albyn, Orange, Calif. 92667 Continuation of application Ser. No. 587,060, Oct. 17, 1966. This application May 23, 1969, Ser. No. 830,201 Int. Cl. A45d 40/26 US. Cl. 132-885 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The application discloses a pad of material for applying cosmetic substances to the facial area, particularly around the eyes and for removing the cosmetics. The pad is capable of being divided into two portions so that eyelashes can be gripped between the portions for the effective removal of eyelash cosmetics.

This application is continuation of SN. 587,060, filed Oct. 17, 1966, now abandoned.

This invention relates to an article for applying and removing cosmetics and, more particularly, to such an article which may be secured to a finger for applying and removing cosmetics.

Cosmetic applicators have sizes and configurations depending on their intended utilization. For example, brushes may be used to apply eye shadow. Other types of brushes may be used with mascara. Pads, balls, etc. comprised of cotton, Dacron, or other suitable materials, gripped between the fingers, may be employed in applying cosmetics.

Even though makeup can be applied with the existing articles, it is believed that brushes, pads, sticks, balls, etc. do not permit as precise an application of the substances as is required for present make up techniques. In other words, it is difiicult to selectively and accurately apply cosmetics to the more inaccessible regions of the face. Brushes have a tendency to be unstable because of the length of the stems. In addition, the bristles may expand and cause uneven application of the makeup. After several uses, the bristles could become contaminated with other makeup materials. Pads or balls often lack shaped portions for covering inaccessible areas of the face with cosmetics.

Another problem relates to the removal of makeup. Particularly difficult is the removal of mascara and similar substances from the eyeleashes and eyebrows. Presently, the adhering substance must be removed by means of a cleanser such as cosmetic oil. The oil dissolves the mascara which is then wiped away with a tissue or cloth.

An article is needed which can easily remove mascara, etc. without the necessity for washing the entire surface surrounding the eye area or coating it with an oil. The article should have the same precision as a cosmetic applicator so that the substance is effectively removed without causing foreign matter to be directed into the eye or surrounding delicate tissue.

Ideally, an article is desired which can be used both as an applicator and as a remover. Such an article would have the capability of applying makeup and afterwards being discarded or stored. Subsequently, either a new article or the stored article could be used to remove the makeup including the mascara.

3,572,349 Patented Mar. 23, 1971 The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art and provides an article which can be used to precisely and efliciently apply cosmetics, as well as an article which can be used to remove certain types of cosmetics with the same precision and efficiency.

Briefly, the invention comprises a relatively flat pad of material to which cosmetic materials adhere, such as pressed cotton, rayon, or felt material. Portions of the material comprising the pad surface may be compressed to form ridge-like configurations in the surface of the pad so that the cosmetics can be more efficiently removed. The pad includes a means for securing it to the fingers of a user, such as an adhesive or sleeve.

In one embodiment, the pad is tear or heart-shaped so that the tip of the pad can be used for applying and removing cosmetics to and from the more inaccessible regions of the face, such as for example, around the eyes, near the hairline and around the lips.

In a preferred embodiment, the pad is divided into adjacent portions by an opening extending longitudinally from a narrow area adjacent to one end of the pad to a narrow area adjacent to the other end of the pad. The uncut area near the first end is narrow enough to be easily separated, such as by cutting or tearing, to permit the adjacent portions of the pad to be disconnected. In other embodiments, the opening could extend completely through the uncut portion associated with the first end.

Near the other termination, the opening which separates the adjacent pad portions is enlarged in the shape of a selected geometric pattern such as a circle, triangle, heart, etc. The enlarged opening associated with the second end of the pad permits relative movement between the two portions of the pad. As a result, one portion may be secured to a thumb and the other portion secured to the index finger to form a configuration which opens and closes without subjecting the remaining uncut area to harmful forces. In effect, the opening permits the uncut portion to act as a hinge for the halves of the pad when it is separated at the first end.

As the fingers separate, the pad halves swing open over an are determined by the uncut portion and the size and configuration of the enlarged opening. When the fingers are clamped together, the surfaces of the pad comprising the divided portions are facing each other. The hinge movement permits the pad halves to remain relatively aligned and to engage eyelashes or eyebrows either with or without a cleanser as required to efiiciently remove mascara from the eyelashes or eyebrows.

In other embodiments, the outer edge of the pad adjacent to the opening associated with the hinge has a portion removed so that the pad has a heart-shaped appearance. The removed portion cooperates with the opening to permit a less restricted movement of the two halves. Since the width of the uncut area is reduced, the halves are more easily separated during use. The enlarged opening with the uncut area defines the hinge for the bifurcated pad.

In still a further embodiment, a paid could be formed with a sleeve-like attachment. The sleeve-like attachment mates with a fingertip so that the pad is maintained in a secure position when used as an applicator or remover. The sleeve and pad portion could be comprised of the same material or the pad portion could be separately affixed to the sleeve near its tip. Two such configurations could be used in lieu of the embodiment having the divisible halves.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an article which has a capability for applying and removing cosmetic substances.

It is another object of this invention to provide an article having an improved shape and capability for removing cosmetic substances.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an article which can be secured to a finger and which has a shape for efliciently applying and removing cosmetic substances and which has the additional capability of being separated and secured to a finger and a thumb for use in removing cosmetic substances.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a process for improving the application and removal of cosmetics while providing a means which can be secured to one or two fingers, depending on its use, for applying and removing cosmetic substances.

These and other objects of this invention will become apparent in connection with the following drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the applicator and remover.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the applicator and remover.

FIG. 4 illustrates the FIG. 3 embodiment secured to a finger for applying and removing cosmetic substances to and from the region surrounding the eye.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the applicator and remover having separated halves interconnected at one end of the applicator and remover.

FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of the applicator and remover having divisible portions.

FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the applicator and remover.

FIG. 8 illustrates the applicator removing a cosmetic substance from eyelashes.

FIG. 9 illustrates a different embodiment of the enlarged opening associated with the hinged area of the applicator and remover.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a further embodiment of the enlarged opening associated with the hinged area of the applicator and remover.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another embodiment of the enlarged opening associated with the hinged area of the applicator and remover.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an embodiment of the applicator and remover having a circular ridge pattern formed near the tip thereof.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 12 embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an embodiment of the applicator and remover having a ridge-like pattern in the surface thereof.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 14 embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a further embodiment of the applicator and remover having a ridge-like pattern in the surface thereof and extending about the periphery thereof.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 16 embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a different embodiment of the applicator and remover having a relatively rigid inner layer.

FIG. 19 is a configuration of the applicator and remover having a sleeve-like attachment.

Referring now to FIG. 1, wherein is shown a first embodiment of the applicator and remover comprising oblong pad 1 having rounded edges 4. The length and width of the pad are adequate to cover the fingertip portion of, for example, an index finger.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 embodiment which shows adhesible layer 3 disposed on one surface of layer 17 to provide a means for securi g the pad 4 to a fingertip. Surface layer 17 may be produced from a material such as pressed cotton matte, rayon, felt, paper, or a combination of materials well known in the art which have the capability of absorbing or holding cosmetic substances. In other words, the cosmetic substances must adhere to the material forming surface 17 so that makeup can be applied where desired.

The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive well known in the art which permits removal of the article from the finger by the application of pressure and which can be re-secured to the finger, if desired. For the particular embodiment shown, a loop, sleeve, or envelope may be provided in lieu of the adhesive. The finger could be inserted into the loop or envelope. The sleeve embodiment is shown more clearly in connection with FIG. 19.

Although certain embodiments described do not show an adhesive means, it should be evident that each illustration includes means for securing the pad to a finger.

Referring now to FIG. 3, wherein is shown'a second embodiment of a cosmetic applicator and remover comprising tear-shaped pad 2. The article has a relatively narrow and pointed end portion 15 and a relatively wider portion 16 which is contiguous with the narrow portion to form the tear-shaped pad. The narrow portion can be used to spread cosmetics on the face in difiicult areas. Surface layer 5 is used to apply or remove cosmetics. Although the various surface layers described in connection with the different embodiments of this invention are designated by different numerals, it should be understood that the layers are comprised of materials described in connection with layer 17 of the FIG. 1 embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 4, wherein is shown the FIG. 3 pad 2 secured to finger 6 for applying eye shadow to region 7 surrounding the eye. As shown in the figure, the narrow portion 15 permits a precise application of makeup to the regions around the eye which are relatively difficult to contact without causing foreign matter to be deposited in the eye. The broader portion provides an increased area for securing the article to the fingers as well as applying cosmetics to other surfaces of the face.

FIG. 5 shows the FIG. 1 embodiment with opening 8 provided along its longitudinal axis from end 9 of the pad to unseparated area 10 adjacent to end 11 of the pad. The opening includes narrow portion 12 such as could be formed by a cutting or stamping means and relatively \wider opening 13 at the termination of opening 8 near end 11. The enlarged opening could be stamped or cut through the pad material simultaneously with the forming of opening 12. The significance and purpose of thIeG opening is: described more fully in connection with Referring now to FIG. 6, wherein is shown the FIG. 3 pad 2 having a slit or opening 14 which bifurcates the article except at the tip area 18 and base area 19. A relatively narrow length of unseparated material remains between one end of the slit and the tip and between the other end of the slit and the base. The small length near the tip can either be torn or cut to permit the article to be separated into two portions. The other unseparated portion permits the two halves to be hinged together.

The FIG. 6 embodiment differs from the FIG. 5 embodiment in that the tip area is separated in the latter embodiment. However, because the separated portions may have a tendency to curl when spreading cosmetics, the FIG. 6 embodiment is the preferred embodiment.

At the end of the slit near the base, circular opening 2 is provided to permit the two halves, when separated, to swing open. Circular opening 20 in combination with unseparated area 21 forms a hinge between pad portions 22 and 23 so that the halves have relatively unrestricted movement when opened as shown and described in connection "with FIG. 8. If the larger opening were not provided, the end of the slit near the base region would be placed under forces of tension, compression, etc. when portions 22 and 23 are moved relative to each other. Depending on the type of material used, the forces could cause the portion to tear.

Referring now to FIG. 7, wherein is shown the FIG. 6 pad 2 embodiment except that area 24 has been removed to further permit unrestricted movement of the two sides of the pad when being used. The removed portion permits the outer base region to undergo less compression when the halves are opened. As a result, tearing and wear are reduced. In addition, opening 20 of FIG. 6 is cut to form heart-shaped opening 25. The tips of the heart-shaped opening, tip 26 and tip 27, redistribute the forces applied to the area 21 to further minimize tearing. The area bounded by tip 26 forms a hinged portion as well as the area bounded by tip 27.

The FIG. 11 embodiment is identical to the FIG. 7 embodiment except that the opening provided adjacent to the base of the pad has different configurations. In FIG. 11, opening 28 is circular wherein in FIG. 7 it is heart-shaped.

Other opening configurations include triangular opening 29 shown in FIG. 9, and rectangular opening 30 shown in FIG. 10.

In addition, in lieu of the V-shaped opening 24 shown in FIG. 7 which gives the article a heart-shaped appearance, other openings which cooperate with the interior openings may be used. The particular configuration can be varied or combined to produce an embodiment suitable for a particular requirement.

Referring now to FIG. 12 wherein is shown the FIG. 7 pad 2 embodiment having a depression area 31 formed in the tip area 8 of the pad. The depression is circular in appearance.

The material comprising surface layer may be compressed by means of a hollow circular object having an inner and outer diameter for forming the depressed area 31. Ridges 34, enclosing the depression, enhance the removing capability of the pad. In other words, the ridges are enabled to dislodge cosmetic substances from the face regions more easily because of the increased resistance of the pad surface to sliding.

FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 12 embodiment. Depression 31 has a depth which extends partially into layer 5. The width and depth of the depression may vary according to specific requirements. In addition, other circular patterns could be made in the layer.

The embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 16, including the respective cross-sectional views as shown in FIGS. and 17 illustrate different depression patterns. For example, the FIG. 14 configuration illustrates a pattern of horizonal depressions 33 extendnig from the tip of pad 2 to the enlarged opening 34.

In addition to the horizontally extending depressions shown in FIG. 14, in FIG. 16 the periphery of the pad is depressed to form ridge 37 extending around the pad.

In certain applications, it may be desirable to have a pad which is relatively rigid. In such embodiments, between the material comprising the surface of the pad and the adhesive layer may be interposed rigid layer 36. The layer may be comprised of a plastic formed into a curved configuration which mates with a fingertip. Although edges 37 are shown as rounded, it should be obvious that the edges could have other shapes.

Referring now to FIG. 19, wherein is shown an embodiment of pad 38 secured to a sleeve-"like member 39. The sleeve has a relative diameter and length for mating with a fingertip. Its general shape is such that pad 38 is on the underside of the finger when the sleeve is in place on the finger. The sleeve may be comprised of a lightweight rubber material including perforations 40 provided through the surface thereof. However, other materials may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The combination of pad and sleeve may be produced by affixing the pad to the sleeve by means of an adhesive.

In other embodiments, the sleeve and pad may be integrally formed from a felt, cotton, Dacron, etc. material. In the area of the pad, the material may have an additional thickness or be provided with a backing to prevent the cosmetic substance from discoloring the finger.

Referring now to FIG. 8, wherein is shown the pad secured to finger 6 and thumb 41 in an open position for gripping eyelashes 42 of the partially shown face 43. As shown in FIG. 7, the V-shaped portion 24 cooperates with heart-shaped opening 25 to provide a relatively un restricted hinged movement of the bifurcated pad. The pad is secured to the finger by an adhesive layer (not shown) on the side thereof adjacent to the fingers.

The pad is moved into position about the eyelashes and is then pressed together to grip the eyelashes. Subsequently, the pad is pulled outward so that the mascara is dislodged from the eyelashes gripped between the surfaces 44 and 45 of the pad. If desired, the pads could be dipped in a cleanser or coated before being moved into position about the lashes. Subsequent to use, the pad may be discarded.

The hinged connection between the two halves maintains the halves in relative alignment when pressed together. Without the alignment, the top half could contact the lashes at one location while the bottom half contacted the lashes at a different location. The mascara could be unevenly removed.

Inasmuch as a pad may be discarded after each use, it may be desirable to prepare a plurality of the articles in one container. The applicator and remover in a desired configuration may be produced by stamping it from pressed cotton matte or the like. The various openings could be stamped at the same time. Subsequently, the articles may be passed over a reservoir containing an adhesive so that an adhesive layer is applied to the undersurface thereof. The surface may then be pressed on a non-stick tape or other surface which permits easy removal of the article for use. If desired, the tape with the article affixed thereto could be cut into sections and placed in a container for mechandising. In the alternative, the tape containing the articles could be rolled up and subsequently processed into dispensing or other types of containers of various shapes and sizes.

I claim:

1. In combination, a pad of material having a first surface to which cosmetic substances adhere,

said pad having a slit along its longitudinal axis, said slit dividing the pad at least between the longitudinal extremities of said pad whereby the pad can be secured between two fingers and folded.

2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said slit completely bifurcates the pad at one longitudinal extremity thereof and has relatively a larger opening at the unbifurcated longitudinal extremity thereof, said unbifurcated extremity for providing a hinge for the bifurcated portions of said pad.

3. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said larger opening is circular.

4. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein said larger opening is heart-shaped.

5. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein the extremity of said pad adjacent to said larger opening has a V-shaped indentation.

6. The combination recited in claim 2 wherein the extremity of said pad at the other end of said slit is relatively narrow and terminates in a rounded point, the other extremity of said pad is relatively wider and contiguous with the narrow end, said pad periphery adjacent to said larger opening having a V-shaped indentation for giving the pad a heart-shaped appearance.

7. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said pad has relatively narrow and unseparated portions between the ends of the slit and the periphery of said pad.

8. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said first surface includes depressions therein.

9. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said pad includes a depression about the periphery of said pad surface.

10. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said pad has a depression pattern in said first surface, said pattern comprising a plurality of horizontal depressions 1 8 11. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said slit completely separates the pad at one longitudinal extremity thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1935 Heaton 13288.7 8/1943 Hall 132-31 

